story914.xml

story914.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-07-19

I woke up on September 11, 2001 as if it were any normal work day. Got up the same usual time, drove the same usual streets to my job, and had my usual cup of hot chocolate with a smooth Marlboro Light cigarette a few minutes after getting to work by 8am. By at 8:45 the nation, the world, came to a screeching holt of shock and for a short time misbelief of what was happening. I happened to be walking past a coworker of mine on my way to the restroom when he stopped me and said that a plane just crashed into one of the WTC towers. I instantly thought, "Wow, that is terrible!", but at another moment thought, "Well, that will surely be hard to repair." And from there I walked onward to my destination. Obviously, what I was told was not really sinking in. Only minutes later I heard about the second tower and how they were collapsing. At this time the looks on coworkers faces along with my own I'm sure, were pasted with shock, anger, and teary eyes. We had a small TV in a back office where streams of people were coming in to stand or sit and watch the terror that was happening to NYC. My own feelings were mixed with fear, anger, and the BIG question: Why? I started calling all my close friends and family to just simply say "I love you" and be sure they were okay. I'm sure like myself, many other people in the Detroit area were wondering if terrorism would hit the Renaissance Building in downtown Detroit or the Chrysler Tech Center located north of Detroit. My brother was located in Norfolk, Virginia at the Naval Base and I worried terribly if he was okay. I tried calling him, but got no answer. I do remember thinking over and over, "This is just a bad movie and it will be over soon." Well, unfortunately it wasn't some fictional story displayed on a cinema screen. This was REAL. I can say it really made me see life, the nation, and the world much differently. The area in which I live and work for many days and weeks after the attacks, were so unbelievably quiet. It was so surreal and eery. You could see and feel how the everyday drivers on the streets were caring more for the stranger in the car next to him than ever before. Drivers were more courteous to each other. But I will never forget the looks on people's faces as they try to go on with their daily lives. I've shed a lot of tears over this tragedy and will never forget the day I woke up on Sept. 11th. I don't have any children yet, but I know when I do this will be history I will be sharing with them. My many prayers and blessings to all who were affected by this horrific day in our nation. My many thanks to all the volunteers and firefighters.

God Bless America!
Jodi